1% Better Gift Ideas
Christmas can be a stressful time for so many reasons. The days become very full. There is family coming and going, children breaking up from school, plays and concerts to attend and all that present buying to do. With the country seeing a cost-of-living crisis on top of the regular annual woes, it is no wonder many people are struggling. To continue our theme of a 1% Better Christmas the SOLID team are here with some last-minute present ideas that are both budget-friendly and don’t cost the earth. These may help take a bit of the present buying stress away.
1. Decoupage
A great way to use up the old scraps of wrapping paper. You will need a Papier Mache bauble (find online or in craft shops), some PVA glue, water and wrapping paper. Make a mixture of 50% PVA glue and 50% water and use this to stick scraps of paper to your bauble. Once your bauble is covered add another later of glue to seal the decoration and leave to dry overnight. A box of hand decorated baubles makes a lovely festive gift that can be used year after year, and it also recycles paper at the same time.
2. Preserved Lemons
Preserved lemons not only look beautiful but they make a great gift for foodies, they are easy to do too. You will need a sterilised jar (approx. 750ml in size), approximately ten unwaxed lemons (plus extra for juice), course sea salt and bay leaves. Slice the lemons almost into quarters, leaving them attached at one end. Rub about 1-2 tablespoons of sea salt into the sliced areas then pack them into the jar with about 5 bay leaves. Leave them for a couple of days then top the jar up with extra lemon juice, making sure all the fruit is covered. The lemons will need to rest for about a month before they are ready to eat so if you are gifting them attached a label stating ‘use from’ with the date a month from when you packed them. It is good to turn the jar upside down and back every few days until they are ready to eat too. Add the lemons to recipes such as tagines to give a real kick to your food. Once opened, store the lemons in the fridge. If they stay covered with juice, they will last for about a year. They do change colour over time.
3. Candy Cake Vodka
A festive drink for those that enjoy a tipple. This recipe also works well with gin. Fill a jar almost to the top with vodka then add about 5 or 6 candy canes, broken into small pieces. Give the jar a good shake and place in the fridge. After a few hours the vodka will have turned red, and the candy canes will have dissolved. Dispense the liquid into a pretty, sterilised bottle and add a ribbon for the finishing touch. The vodka is great served cold, in a cocktail or in hot chocolate.
You do not need to use expensive vodka for this recipe, cheap, supermarket own brands will do and you can even use vodka leftovers if you have a bottle lying around.
4. Recipe jars
These make fantastic gifts for children. Choose your favourite, easy, sweet recipe – such as brownies or cookies and layer a jar with the dry ingredients from the recipe. A layer of flour, sugar, cocoa etc depending on the recipe. Attach a label with the list of the ‘wet ingredients’ the recipient will need to add to the recipe (eggs, milk etc) and the instructions of how to bake your chosen food. Finish by covering the lid with festive fabric and tie with a bow.
We hope these gifts will inspire you if you are still on the hunt for a last-minute idea. However, if this year is a struggle remember, you are not obliged to buy gifts, no one expects a present, especially if buying one is causing stress. A few kind words to let someone know you are thinking of them will go further than panic buying something that they may not want or need.